Chris Hedges: Dems Owe Chicago Public Teachers Support for "Most Important Labor Action in Decades"

[proud2BlibKansan]

As the Chicago public school teachers’ strike enters its second day, we’re joined by the journalist and author Chris Hedges. "The teachers’ strike in Chicago is arguably one of the most important labor actions in probably decades," Hedges says. "If it does not prevail, you can be certain that the template for the attack on the union will be carried out across the country against other teachers’ unions and against the last redoubt of union activity, which is in the public sector, of course — firemen and police." Hedges continues, "It’s always the ruling class that determines the parameters of rebellion and resistance. And the Chicago strike illustrates the bankruptcy of both traditional labor and the Democratic Party. And that’s why the Occupy movement was so important." Hedges is the author, with illustrator Joe Sacco, of the new book, "Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt." [includes rush transcript]


http://www.democracynow.org/2012/9/11/chris_hedges_dems_owe_chicago_public

[alcibiades_mystery]

1. Being here on the streets, I have to say this was the best organized strike since

the Teamsters UPS strike (of 1996 or 1997, I don't remember). The red shirts are everywhere. The union worked to get parents on their side before the strike. The signs and messaging are both pitch perfect. The union has been effectively mixing up the strike locations, from schools, to major intersections, to the big rallies. Quite frankly, I think Rahm and the CPS hierarchy must be shellshocked, because Karen Lewis and the CTU just gave them a fucking beating.

[sabrina 1]

4. You're right about Parents supporting them. Everyone was making dire predictions that

they would not get the support of parents:

As Chicago teachers strike enters fourth day, a new poll proves majority of parents and taxpayers approve of fair contract fight

According to Capitol Fax, an influential political report that covers state politics, “Chicago teachers have a strong majority of Chicagoans behind them, according to a new poll. Also, an overwhelming majority of Chicago parents with public school students support the strike, the poll found. And strong pluralities blame Mayor Rahm Emanuel.”

Conducted by We Ask America, the poll of 1,344 voting Chicago households asked, "In general, do you approve or disapprove of the Chicago Teachers Union's decision to go on strike?" 55.5 percent said they approved and 40 percent disapproved. Another 4 percent had no opinion. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percent,” according to Rich Miller, the report’s publisher.

Miller also noted:

(CTU) support jumped to 66 percent among parents of public school children. Less than a third of those parents, 31 percent, disapproved of the strike, according to the poll. Among people with no school-age children, 51 percent approved of the job action, while 44 percent disapproved.

A very strong 63 percent of African-Americans polled approved of the strike, while 65 percent of Latinos expressed approval. Women and men almost equally approved of the strike - 55 percent of women and 56 percent of men.

[alcibiades_mystery]

5. I'm a CPS parent myself

Was on the line with the teachers two mornings this week, with my little one in tow. Really a wonderful experience. of course, I wasn't giving up a week's pay.

[sabrina 1]

6. Yay, good for you! And your little one who will benefit in the future from your support

I hope!

[iemitsu]

13. thanks for this information. it is truly uplifting, when anyone strikes, to have the support of

Last edited Sun Sep 16, 2012, 01:39 AM - Edit history (1)

members of the community. these polls reflect strong support for the chicago teachers actions which will no doubt have an effect on how this strike is brought to a close.
last year, when i participated in a teacher strike, many students and parents walked the line with us. businesses brought coffee, donuts, soups and sandwiches to keep us fed. when we marched around the central administration office so many from the community joined in that the line (three abreast) completely wrapped around a large, three square block campus. it was wonderful.
these poll numbers will energize those on the picket line.
and thank you too all the parents who support the striking teachers. your support and understanding make all the difference to those on the line.
incidentally, the presence of public school clients on the picket line will have the strongest impact on the rest of the community and the district and city leaders.


ed:spelling

[sabrina 1]

16. You're welcome. Your story is wonderful and uplifting also. It says that no matter what the

propagandists say, the public is with the Working class and they are far, far more intelligent than these greedy, Corporate morons who have no souls, give them. They have to manipulate the press and spend a fortune for PR because the truth is the people are with the Workers, the parents are with their teachers and we no matter how they manipulate and distort the facts, the people can see through them.

I guess that's why they are so afraid of the people, why they hate OWS and the Wisconsin protesters so much. Because unlike them, the people CARE and that human trait seems to be missing in them.

Were you in Wisconsin? They too were wonderful. I hope this spreads across the country.

Btw, I will be posting another article which shows that this Strike has strengthened the Union.

[iemitsu]

18. my experience (almost two weeks on the picket line) tells me that the chicago

teachers will feel great exhilaration and pride and also extreme doubt and fear before this strike is over. it is a real roller-coaster.
when together on the line teachers, students, parents, and other supporters demonstrate everything good about being part of a group.
we had a mobile kitchen and hot food for lunch each day, guitar playing and singing labor songs, rousing speeches, the opportunity to collaborate and share ideas, and sore feet. we laughed and talked and discovered many things about each other that make a community stronger.
i made myself a styrofoam "ball and chain" to drag, suggesting how teachers felt they were being treated by district and state officials. it followed me every mile i walked.
with 98% of the teachers voting to strike there was little internal conflict.
striking was the right thing to do. i'm not new to the classroom. my wife was/is very supportive, even walking the line with us each day.
the event was not terribly stressful for me.
but, young, single teachers, home alone at night had some real difficult moments.
i suspect that teachers with young families felt increased stress too.
the district played nasty tricks. each night they used the robo-call to inform us we had a legal responsibility to report to the classroom the next morning. each night the message was more pointed. the district went to court. we were told we might be arrested. many were upset by the calls.
it was important that strikers contacted and comforted each other via phone trees or other media every evening. some really needed the reassurance.
the teachers in my district, in washington state, are all supporting your action.
our union was certainly invigorated by the strike. we were reminded why unions matter.
the teaching staffs in each building grew stronger too.
it felt good to finally stand up for ourselves and assert our professional dignity (whatever that is).
the district's (and corporate america's) goal to increase class size, replace experienced teachers with those lower on the salary scale, categorize us and pay us according to student test scores, and destroy our union only served to strengthen us as individual teachers and as functioning, collaborative staffs.
good luck to the chicago teachers. there are many who support your action. know you will prevail.

[senseandsensibility]

2. We ALL owe the Chicago teachers a debt of gratitude.

It saddens me that not everyone on this board can see that. If they do negotiate a successful settlement after their action, they won against incredibly powerful opponents. But make no mistake, THEY put their paychecks and professional lives on the line. No one else did. Other public service workers will benefit, but they did not do what the Chicago teachers did. Some of them didn't even support them.

[sabrina 1]

3. They are getting a lot of support and some Democrats at least, are supporting them:

Gloria Steinham issued the this statement of support a couple of days ago:

Gloria Steinem supports Chicago teachers on strike.

Tonight, I proudly wear a red t-shirt in support of the Chicago Teachers Union strike. They have been forced to strike – for the first time in 25 years – by the false economy of firing and penalizing the experienced teachers most needed by the students and by new teachers; by lengthening the school day as warehousing without educational services, healthy school buildings, and paid teachers; by what they have the knowledge to call the “apartheid-like system” of differential discipline policies; and by what seems to be a national tactic of demonizing teachers in order to turn public schools into corporate profit centers.

“For instance, three years ago, a Stanford Study found that ‘students in charter schools are not faring as well as students in traditional public school.’ I’m glad to see that in a recent poll, twice as many Chicagoans trusted the Chicago Teachers Union, not the Mayor, when it comes to public education.

“As an 87% female workforce, and one that is nearly half African American and Latino, the Chicago Teachers Union know what their students need. This is why this country needs unions, collective bargaining, and mayors who recognize, honor and fairly pay the people our children know – and who know our children.” Steinem continued, "I join my colleagues at The Women's Media Center, in calling on the media to ensure that women are part of this story — as teachers, parents, union members, and as journalists.”

Any profession that is female and/or minority dominated seems to have a problem earning what they are worth and seems to get slammed by the usual suspects for even asking to be paid on a level consistent with their education and experience.

[tama]

7. Not was, is

CTU strike is continuation of, transformation of, parallel to and ally of Occupy movement. Same people's grass roots movement.

The reason why the strike is failure of not only of Democrats but also "traditional labor" is that teachers occupied their union and elected new leadership of rank-and-file teachers instead of "union bosses".

[tavalon]

8. It also shows front and center what a pustule on life Rahm is

Many of have known for years. I want him out of the Democratic party. He's no Democrat.

[malaise]

9. Yep

Solidarity forever

[rhett o rick]

10. I agree. This is an important test. nm

[burrowowl]

11. Hip! Hip! Hurrah! Chicago Public Teachers!

Rahm is a bad person a corporatist shill! He is trying to sell out public education.

[cr8tvlde]

12. We all owe the Chicago teachers and their leaders our gratitude.

from kids, parents and other teachers!!! Also, seems they wiped the DNC smirk off Rahm's face, at least for awhile.

[ibegurpard]

14. I'm extremely happy to see that people of Chicago are supportive of their teachers.

I was very worried that the message of why the strike was taking place was going to get lost and so far that appears not to be happening.
And fuck Rahm Emanuel and his anti-worker policies.

[Iris]

15. I was so disgusted by Mitt Romney

"I side with the mayor" Talk about authoritarian.

He also said he sided with parents and students. Talk about clueless.

[sabrina 1]

17. Paul Ryan sides with Rahm also. I don't think we need anymore proof that

Rahm Emmanuel is no Democrat. His ideas are Republican and Republicans are, appropriately giving him their support.

[Iris]

19. You said it, sabrina!